Google’s better as a search index than a service provider, and global music licensing is complex. Maybe it should just play with third parties.

US, Can, UK, Ger

Won’t disclose.

Won’t disclose.

10m

Unlimited streaming and 5 MP3s for £5pm/$5pm.

Or unlimited streaming plus 12 MP3s for £10pm, 15 MP3s for ?15.

It’s Napster – ’nuff said.

Despite losing its rebellious edge, the brand name is enough to keep Napster a big contender.

US, global soon

Not disclosed.

Not disclosed.

“Millions”

$14.99 per month for Zune Pass.

-

Unlimited web streaming. Unlimited downloads for the life of a Zune Pass.
Plus 10 downloads per

Has undergone tweaked ever since launch in 2006, eg. adding option to keep 10 songs a month in fall 2008. A Microsoft executive recently told Bloomberg Business Week a price cut was under consideration.

US

Won’t disclose.

Won’t disclose.

9m

Free three-day trial.

Price not clear from site.

Like Spotify, it plays in a PC/Mac app plus on iOS, Android, BlackBerry, including offline mobile play.

The features are just like Spotify’s, but already work in the U.S. When tested, some key website pages were broken.

US

15m UUS/pm, 5m registered users

Won’t disclose

10m (indies but only EMI amongst majors)

Free web-based streaming with ads.

$3pm for no-ads and mobile access.

Unusually, users populate the service by uploading songs. Grooveshark says this is legal “in the exact same way that YouTube is legal”, DMCA compliance.

Dependence on user upload means catalog gaps. A history of legal attention plus absence of three majors leaves a hint of suspicion.